ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement on Thursday afternoon after Doppler radar detected a strong thunderstorm moving through Western North Carolina.
The storm was located near Chimney Rock Village, about 15 miles northeast of Hendersonville, and was moving northeast at 15 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters warned of wind gusts up to 40 mph and hail up to half an inch in diameter.
Gusty winds could cause minor damage by knocking down tree limbs and blowing around unsecured outdoor objects, officials said. Small hail could also damage outdoor items.
Communities potentially affected include Lake Lure, Old Fort, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park, Bat Cave, Fairview, Shingle Hollow and Gerton.
The weather service also cautioned that torrential rainfall from the storm could lead to localized flooding. Drivers are urged not to attempt to cross flooded roads.
The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement at 2:06 p.m. as Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm about 11 miles southwest of downtown Asheville, near the Blue Ridge Parkway between Mount Pisgah and the North Carolina Arboretum. The storm was moving northeast at 15 mph.
Forecasters said the storm could produce wind gusts up to 40 mph and hail up to half an inch in diameter.
Radar indicated the storm’s intensity. The potential impacts include minor hail damage to outdoor objects and gusty winds capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around unsecured items.
Areas that could be affected include downtown Asheville, East and West Asheville, North Asheville, Arden, Fletcher, Biltmore Forest, Bent Creek, the Blue Ridge Parkway from Mount Pisgah to the NC Arboretum and Asheville Regional Airport.